NBN Co has published research suggesting most users link fast home internet with improved wellbeing, alongside greater use of remote work, online study and telehealth.

The study, carried out by Ember Advisors for NBN Co, found 77 per cent of surveyed nbn users said having the nbn network at home had a positive impact on their satisfaction with life in FY25.

The report is part of an annual series on digital inclusion, examining self-reported outcomes across employment and income, education and skills, health, social and community connection, and the environment.

Use cases rise

Results pointed to increased use of home internet for services that replace or reduce in-person activity. The proportion of respondents using their home internet for telehealth rose to 43 per cent in FY25, from 34 per cent in FY23.

The share studying from home increased to 21 per cent from 12 per cent over the same period. Those working from home at least one day a week rose to 38 per cent in FY25, from 31 per cent in FY23.

Connecting with family or friends remained the most common activity measured, with 91 per cent of respondents doing so in FY25, up from 88 per cent in FY23.

Work and learning

Over the past 12 months covered by the survey, 38 per cent of respondents said they worked from home at least one day a week using their internet connection, a two percentage point increase on the previous 12 months.

Among those who worked from home, 53 per cent reported being more productive and therefore more successful at work.

Education-related responses also suggested time and access benefits. Nearly half (48 per cent) of nbn users who engaged in formal education through the nbn network said reduced travel time and flexible online learning allowed them to do more paid work, leisure or study.

The survey found 46 per cent of respondents reported they were able to access courses, up two percentage points from the prior reporting period.

Health access

Telehealth featured prominently. Among those who accessed telehealth or medical information online, 79 per cent reported positive health outcomes associated with that access.

Among telehealth or online medical service users, 47 per cent said they were able to see a health professional or access a health service more regularly or more quickly because telehealth was more convenient.

Connection and environment

On social outcomes, 72 per cent of nbn users who connected with friends and family via the nbn network said it made them feel more connected.

The report also captured perceptions of environmental impact. It found 75 per cent of respondents who work, study, access health or other services online said doing so helped reduce their carbon emissions.

Speeds and upgrades

The research comes as NBN Co continues to upgrade its network and expand fibre investment. Its Accelerate Great initiative launched in September 2025 and delivered faster speeds to many customers.

Speedtest operator Ookla reported a median download speed of 164.98 Mbps at the end of December 2025, up from 94.89 Mbps in August 2025. Australia’s position in Ookla’s Speedtest Global Index rose from 61st in August to 41st in December 2025.

NBN Co also disclosed shifts in plan tiers. By 31 December 2025, 41 per cent of customers were on wholesale 100 Mbps download plans or above, up from 28 per cent a year earlier. Some 31 per cent were on wholesale 500 Mbps download plans or above, up from 3 per cent in December 2024.

Data use also increased. Average monthly data downloads per customer across all technologies nationally rose to 557 GB, up 13 per cent year-on-year. Queensland recorded the highest average data download per user at 542 GB in June 2025, while Tasmania recorded the lowest at 447 GB.

Inclusion findings

The study also examined outcomes for low-income households and First Nations communities. Among low-income households with the nbn network at home, 73 per cent reported a positive impact on satisfaction with life in FY25.

Within that cohort, 87 per cent of those who engaged in formal or informal education from home reported positive education outcomes. The report also recorded 76 per cent reporting positive health outcomes among those who accessed telehealth or online medical information, and 74 per cent reporting positive outcomes among those who connected with family, friends or others online.

For First Nations respondents with the nbn network at home, 81 per cent reported a positive impact on satisfaction with life. Among those who engaged in formal or informal education from home, 87 per cent reported positive education outcomes.

Travel and devices

The research included estimates of avoided travel. Respondents avoided an average 4.6 hours of travel per week through studying from home. Working from home was associated with an average 4.3 hours avoided per week, while telehealth use was associated with an average 5.8 hours avoided per month.

Connected energy-related devices also featured in the survey. Some 34 per cent of respondents said they used nbn connectivity to connect a smart energy appliance. Of those, 21 per cent were rooftop solar systems, 19 per cent were air conditioners, 13 per cent were home battery systems and nine per cent were electric vehicle chargers.

More than 10 million premises across Australia are eligible to order multi-gigabit speeds, which NBN Co said equates to 90 per cent of premises on the fixed-line network being eligible for the fastest residential wholesale speed tiers available.

Stephen Smith, EGM Safety, Wellbeing and Sustainability at NBN Co, said the network “supports the needs of over 20 million people every day and carries over 80 per cent of the nation’s data.”

“Our ongoing network investments are increasing the capacity and reliability of the nbn network, with faster speeds helping support people with better outcomes in employment, education, health and wellbeing across Australia,” Smith said.

“This report shows how continued improvements to the nbn network are helping Australians stay connected, access essential services and participate fully in the digital economy,” he said.